I just got a full paint job and i was wondering how long do i have to wait before i can wash and wax the car.

 

Ask the body shop where the work was done. Normal wait time can be anywhere from 1 to 3 months for waxing.

You ought to be able to wash the car anytime. I would suggest using a minimum of car soap the first few times, or just water if the car is not that dirty.

 

Why do you say a minimum of soap? I don't think it would do anything chemically and new paint will be kind of soft for awhile so I'd think you'd want extra lubrication.

Like Blue said, it's usually 90 days. You can use a body shop safe glaze which will still allow the paint to "breath," but still offer a bit of protection. You'd have to do it everytime you wash though.

 

I just had an incident this summer where I hit a deer and had a lot of repaint on my Infiniti (entire front -- hood, bumper cover, fenders, two doors). They said at least 60 days for the paint to fully cure, but it depends on where you live. I happen to live in the desert and they said the heat and lack of humidity helped it cure faster. If it is more humid or not as hot, it could take longer.

The body shop also did the first wax job for free, since the paint and work has a lifetime warranty. I am assuming that by doing the first wax, they are helping to insure that the paint will be in pretty good shape for several years, which would likely be as long as most people own a car. If you had it done at a shop, you might want to ask them about it. They did a damn good job, too. It looks like glass and feels like silk.

 

Would curing go for new cars just recently built also??

 

Good question. I got my car Diamond coated, which is a type of permashine paint sealant process. The product was applied the day before I picked my car up new from an autobroker.

 

You cant wax a car after a paint job for about 3 months

 

good question. I bought mine the same month it left the factory. Some dealers wax new cars though. Maybe since the paint goes on before assembly, there's a good enough curing time before it's shipped out.


Car Cover?
After a paint job would it be good or bad to leave it under a breathable car cover and drive another car until it cures? I would want to keep the sun and elements (dust, bird droppings, etc) off until I could polish and wax.

I would be getting a complete kit painted and my hood repainted. I suppose the kit could wait and be installed after completely cured. But what about a hood or entire repainted car? Cover: yes or no?

 

I would have the car atleast clayed (preferred compounding) before you put any wax on. A lot of new cars these days still come with some embedded dirt in the clear coat (rail dust, etc), so it would be a bad idea to wax over all of that right off the bat.

Now with new paint jobs, wait a couple months before using any wax. It's a good idea to allow the solvents to vent, otherwise the paint job will not last as long. Best thing to do, wait 60-90 days then clay the paint and put on a layer of wax.

 

New cars are fully cured. They take awhile before they get to the lot and I think they may use some heat curing method or something in the factory.

I'm going to have to disagree with you BlueC on compounding a new car unless the dealer has already installed swirls for you (which is likely). Just claying will remove contaminants and won't start off your brand new car with less CC.

Nismo, I wouldn't worry about the car cover. The paint won't take too much damage in only 3 months. It might be a good idea to wait until summer so there isn't salt on the road. Like I said if you're really worried you can use a body shop safe glaze which will still allow the paint to "breath," but still offer a bit of protection (I think megs #7 would fit the bill, but check the bottle to be sure).

Bobo, I hope that sealant wasn't too expensive. They probably told you it was a lifetime thing or something? There's no such thing. It'll just be a 6 month sealant and you probably would have been better off with one of the boutique acrylic sealants (klasse SG).